NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The ULM softball team struggled
defensively in its game against Stephen F. Austin as two early Warhawk errors
and turbulent pitching led to a 10-3 loss to the Ladyjacks at SFA Softball Field
Wednesday evening.
Stephen F. Austin scored eight runs in the top of the first
inning, five behind two ULM fielding errors, to take a commanding 8-0 lead early
on. After the Ladyjacks' leadoff batter lined out, four-straight batters
reached base, three with singles while one reached on an error to plate the
first two runs. Lacy Liles was hit by a pitch to load the bases again before Charlotte
Singleton hit the second two RBI single of the inning to build the deficit 4-0.
A wild pitch advanced two base runners and another hit pitch
followed before Heather Fritz entered to relieve Tiffany Mills (5-6), who
earned the loss in the circle after she pitched just 0.1 innings and allowed
seven runs, three earned, off four hits. The Ladyjacks would tack on a forced
run off a walk before another Warhawk fielding error allowed three final
unearned runs to score, ULM trailing 8-0.
The Warhawks were led by Brianna Love and Roxy Cassel who
each went 2-for-4 while Love had one of two RBI for the day and Cassel had one
run. Melissa Rivera extends her hit streak to five-straight after going 2-for-3
with one RBI while Elise West and Samantha Riojas each added a run.
In 5.2 innings pitched, Fritz had a solid performance with five
hits allowed in 25 at bats for three runs, just one earned.
ULM cut Stephen F. Austin's lead to five after scoring two
runs in the second inning and another in the third. West singled and Riojas was
nailed by a pitch before Love smacked an RBI single to right field to plate
West, Riojas following when Love was caught stealing. A Rivera RBI single
scored Cassel in the next inning to make the score 8-3.
The Ladyjacks held the Warhawks scoreless for the remainder
of the game as they added two insurance runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
Cadie Weaver hit a solo-shot home run to left center before a fielding error
and a subsequent throwing error would allow the final run in the 10-3 loss.
Weaver had the big night for Stephen F. Austin with a
2-for-4 performance that included a game-high one home run, three RBI and two
runs. Eight other Ladyjacks scored a run while Singleton added two RBI. Carlie
Thomas (4-6) picked up the complete game win with nine hits, three earned runs,
two walks and four strikeouts.
The Warhawks take the field again this Saturday when they host
their Sun Belt Conference opener at home against South Alabama in a three-game series
that begins with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. at the ULM Softball Complex.
